A Number of Injured as Rough Air Hits Delta Aircraft Landing at Sydney

A number of individuals sustained injuries after a Delta aircraft traveling from Los Angeles to Sydney encountered turbulence on Friday morning.

Flight DL41 "went through a short bout of rough air" as it touched down at the Sydney airport, a representative for the carrier informed. A number of the onboard staff sustained injuries.

Local paramedics reported they assessed a total of five people, and took a trio to hospital with relatively minor issues that included spinal discomfort and head pain. Those affected were between their 30s up to the 70s.

This marks the newest example of planes being hit by atmospheric disturbance, with experts pointing out that climate change is a key driver.

The aircraft was carrying 245 people and 15 crew members on the aircraft, the official said, clarifying that the plane touched down "safely and normally" at Sydney Airport at 6:48 a.m. local time on Friday.

Paramedics indicated they received a call just only 180 seconds prior to the plane touched down, and response teams were ready and waiting at the airport.

Why plane turbulence is growing increasingly prevalent - and often stronger.

Last year, 25 people were hurt when another Delta jet, travelling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, Netherlands, encountered "significant" turbulence just a couple of hours into the lengthy trip, and was forced to make an precautionary landing.

Earlier this year, those on board on a certain international flight went through a frightening five seconds period of extreme instability. A traveler passed away and numerous people sustained injuries, as unbelted passengers were thrown from their seats and were slammed back.

Turbulence is not uncommon while flying, and while cases of strong or severe turbulence seem to be rising, they are still very rare.

Estimates show that there are around 5,000 incidents of severe or worse turbulence every year, out of a total of in excess of 35 million aircraft departures that are conducted around the world.

Strong atmospheric disturbance is defined as when the vertical motions of a plane passing through unstable air generate in excess of a significant G-force on your body - enough to lift you out of your seat if you did not have on a restraint.

As climate change alters weather patterns, experts warn that flying could become less smooth: temperature changes and altered air currents in the higher altitudes are expected to heighten the frequency and intensity of dangerous in-flight bumps.